The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1887-12-15
State Craftsmanship of Republican
Party.

State Craftsmanship of Republican
Party.
ROANOKE. VA, Dec. 1st. 1887
Editors of the Virgirian
read with much interest your editorial ar
Ecle in very recent issue OF your paper, upon
Gen. Mahone's connection and non connection
with the management of the canvass made by
the Republican party in the last two elections.
to-Wit: that for the election of members of
Congress, and the very recent one for members
heard stated by several influential Republi-
cans, that in the last Congressional election
Chairman Malone, Immediately after the can
yass commenced, expected to go to California,
snd as chairman or otherwise, had very little,
If anything, to do with the management, In any
respect of the canvass: The result OF that
election was six Republicans, one tndepen-
dent, and three Democrats were elected 10
Congress- That he, as chairman, took charge
Of the late legislative election, going about it
In his usual way, and the result is that tne
Democrats received majority OF thirty-iour
on Joint ballot in the Legislature. while the
Democratic State returning board officially re-
port only a fraction over three hundred votes.
about two hundred and fifty thousand During
the last six months have had good opportu-
nifty to study the politics OF the state. nave
read great many of the political papers Of
both parties, and have talked with. ana neard
talk, quite a large number both of Republicans
and Democrats. and heard some OF the
speakers of both parties. What the Democrats
publicly or privately say Of Gen. Mahone mas
nOinfiuen nee whatever with me. as their oppo-
sition to him seems to be dictated by passion,
prejudice, and envy or hatred. With them
political principle, or state polcy seems TO- have
nothing to do with their opposition to Mahcne
Whilst as politician, and a patriotic cltlZen OF
the State. who has shown himself in and out of
Congress, devoted to her interests, and that he
s likewise steadfast. energetic and able Re-
publican, vet. fully agree with you ana many
other influential Repub licans whom l have
met, that the Republican party can never sue
coed in getting control of the State, whilst
Gen. Malone is chairman Of State Committee
It is unnecessary to give the several reasons
urged by Republicans against him as chair
man. 1t is enough to know that they erist. We
hear many Republicans state, since the last
election, that General Malone will certainly
resign his craftsmanship of the State commit
tee. the first time the committee meets; and
these Republicans. that say this are what are
called Mahcne Republicans. They have no
objection to him as man nor as Republican,
but they do most seriously object to him as
chairman of tn State committee. If he does
not resign before the meeting of the next State
Republican Convention, there Will be very
large and determined opposition to his even
being placed. by the Convention, where the
state committee will thereafter have 1t in
General Malone. for his services rendered
the party ought. we think. when the Conven-
tion assemblies to elect delegates to the Ma
tional Convention. to be held in the year 1888,
to be selected one of the delegates for the
State at large For his past services and ability
we think that much IS certainly due him. But
we think that by all means he ought not to be
chairman of the State committee: and if he
and his friends undertake when that conven-
ton meets TO manage the convention. in the
interest of Malone or Mahone's candidate for
the presidential NOMINATION, IL Will pc very
his friends and the Republican party of this
State. With some other good Republican for
Chairman can have a united, harmonious,
and an enthusiastic party for the Presiden tial
election; and with Blaine, or Allison, or
Depew, the Republicans can carry Virginia
against Cleveland and the tree traders, by at
least ten thousand majority.
It is best for me to STATE that am not now,
nor have ever been, in any official position in
the Republican party of this state that 1 am
not personally acquainted with Gen. Mahone-
never saw him-and thai in what have said,
/ am controlled entirely by an earnest desire to
see the Republican party express at the polls
that majority of votes which it evidently has
In the state. ROANOKE RIVER.